Beadle's Dime Library No. 351 — page 2: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

' them is only a temporary camp, for their saddles : - ~ oe ae ~ beautiful for a and 2 Three men are squatting around the little camp- | and fringed at the i fire, enjoying their evening meal, tin ! i veg of steam- ing coffee in one hand, beef fresh from th Nor’ West Nic e glowing | coals in the ether, eating as only men can who are | blessed with the appetite of a wolf, the digestion of an ostrich, and the stowage-room of the anaconda, or its human prototype, the prairie Indian. Hard by grazed as many horses, greedily croppin the juicy grass, now and then biting or Kicking at each other, uttering little squeals of half-anger, half- sport, but m iking the most of what experience tells and bridies are still first are loosened an jingling as they graze. Here and there amid the trees and bushes show other forms, red, spotted and brindled, tall, long- limbed and gaunt, but one and all bearing the in- signia which can never be mistaken, the long, slev- der, wide-spreading horns of the Texan cattle. They are few in number—not more than half a score, all told—yet this seems a strange range for cattle; even so small a herd would have hard and scanty foraging when those few acres of ground were picked clean, This fact might well have puzzled a novice. Not so one well versed in stock lore. The total absence of those disfiguring marks—the scars of the curious- ly twisted branding-iron—would have told the tale. A camp of cowboys, yes; but of a peculiar branch of that wild profession. These three men were, to the majority of their class, what the privateer is to the regular navy, the guerrilla to the army in time of war. In other and plainer words, they were what is technically known as ** Maverick-hunters,’’ search- ing for, and collecting unbranded, unclaimed cattle and driving therm toa market—a wild, but not neces- sarily dishonest ‘its, **Good-eveninz, gentlemen!”’ Down drop food and drink as these words come ee, though the girths of the the bits of the other hang heavily spurred boots, eather belt supporting knife and brace of revolvers, of Colt’s navy pattern; with a short-handled, long- lashed whip hanging across one shoulder and under his arm; he, too, seemed open to the suspicion of - e lmemp but not so among those who knew him est. In any gathering, he would have been noted as an unusually handsome, graceful athlete, but doubly so now when contrasted with his mates. One was short and squat, with stumpy legs wide- | ly bowed, as though he been trained to the sad- | dle frominfaney. His face was covered to the eyes | with a mass of coarse, bristling hair, and his throat and breast, where exposed by his loose shirt, were shagey as those of a bear. is eyes were small, jet- black, bright as those of a serpent, Allin all, a man of whom one felt an instinctive dread and disgust at first view. Even more remarkable in appearance was the veaird of the Maverick-hunters. If the many kinks in his skeleton-like frame were straightened out, and he stood erect, he would have closely crowded seven feet in altitude. His head was monstrous in size, though his face was small, and bore a scanty crop of hair so light as to seem white, though he was the youngest man in the party. His hands and feet were huge, bony and misshapen, while each joint appear oer swollen as with rheumatism, Be- tween each joint were only thin layers of muscle, the flesh having seemingly wasted away. From head to foot he was in constant motion, his person twitching and jerking after a most extraordinary manner, while his organs of speech were afllicted after the same fashion. In walking he made short, swift motions as though each member was deter- mined on choosing its own course, wholly indepen- dent of its fellows, and to a rest a it looked as though he was just on the point of falling to pieces like a joint-snake, from out the deepening shadows, up leap the cow- ot wore .as ken unti the stranger drew boys, and each right hand clasps a cocked revolver as | back with a sigh of complete satiety. Then the they face the point from whence broke the totally | handsome cowboy said: une ted sound, “This, stranger,” indicating the dwarfed Hercu- . of truce, gentlemen,” and the words were | les, “is my pard, Long-legs, named that-a-way accompanied by a soft, pleasant laugh. “I’m quite | ‘cause he ain’t got no legs to speak of. He ain’t so alone, and entirely harmless, I assure you.”’ hefty fer good looks, but he'll do to tie to in a tight ““Show your sign-board then! Han’s up an’ empty | pinch every time! With him at my back 1 wouldn’t fingers!’ cried one of the Maverick-hunters, sternly | fear to fight the devil hisself! This ’ne,” as he and suspiciously, every muscle of his lithe, sinewy | nodded toward the loose, gangiing specimen of hu- firure quivering in readiness for swift action in case | manity, ‘tis Rickety Joe, the lady-killer an’ heart- of need, smasher of the West. Take him in a red-hot crowd Prompt as the challenge came the answer. Out | and turn him loose, an’ he jest paralyzes the outfit. into the full glow of the camp-fire eegped a man, | Afore anybody kin tell which is him, an’ which is his empty hands raised above his head, a smile of his shadder, Joe gits in his pritty work, an’ the job amusement upon his handsome face as the trio of | is jobbed clear up to the han’le. As fer me, jest call revolvers covered him. me Dick Wheeler an’ you’ve got the right pig by the “Steady—as you air!’ added the challenger, 4 sharply. ‘Keep your sish, stranger, onless “Delighted to make your acquaintance, gentle- ou’re hankerin’ fer a lightnin’ trip over the range! | men,”’ said the stranger, covering his lips with one kin out, boys, an’ see ef thar’s any more o’ his | hand as he yawned lazily. ‘* Thousand times obliged kind in the dark.” . py you for od meer. And now, if you will kindly “Don’t shoot my horse by mistake,” 1 ughed the | Go me another favor— stranger as the two cowboys stole swiftly way. “I| “ Did you ketch his name, mates?” asked Wheeler, left him back at the edge of the timbe.*, while turning away with a shrug of the shoulders, ** Reck- cane ahead to see if this fire was started by friends.”’ ** We kin tel) that better when the boys come back,” “mimuv observed the Maverick-hunter, keeping the swangor covered with 9, hand as steady as fate. “‘ Ef you're al) sa gear vou hain't nothin’ to fear, Ef not—” ‘ne short nod ‘with which the hiatus was filled, was far more Sen than words, but the stranger did not a at all alarmed for the cutcome, A. laughing light filled his blue eyes, and his white teeth gleamed beneath his trimly kept mustaches, A short spell of waiting thus, then the two men returned, “Jess so—hoss hitched—nary other critter in sight,’’ said one, aking with a curious, gasping hitch in his tones that well matched his nervously jerking, rickety carcass. ‘** Are you Satisfied?” asked the stranger. The revolver was lowered, uncocked and returned to its resting-place. ‘The cowboy nodded shortly and resum is seat before the but there was no answering smile upon his weather-beaten but handsome countenance as he said: ‘*Ef the boys is satisfied, I ‘Ain’t no call to grum- ble. But all the same, it was a fool trick on your pen. Ef I could ’a’ spotted your kiver with sar- ty, afore you spoke the second time, you’d ’a’ chawed lead sure /” “ Perhaps it was,’’ and once more thet soft laugh bubbled forth, “But I saw that you vere honest fellows, and I knew I could call mye.f the same. Then—! haven’t eaten a mouthful sinc: daylight, and an empty stomach knows no prudence, especially with the smell of hot coffee and meat—”’ “ Brush ety an’ on, “Don't care if I do, since you are so pressing. It’s unhealthy talking ona day-old breakfast.” For some minutes there was silence, but the eyes ro the four men were to the full as busy as their aws, Briefly summed up, this was the result of their fdghection. Fae og britches an’ set down. Grub’s ree as the air,’’ was the blunt interrup- mutual The stranger was a man apparently not far along in the thirties, in complexion of the purest blonde, with short, curling hair of flaxen hue, and a hand- some pair of mustaches, shading a small, woman- like mouth, with lips as red as though they had been ain eyes were deep blue, his features regular, forming a face almost too man. His figure was grace itself, ht have served asculptor as a model for Apollo. This, with his neat and plain, yet costly dress, caused the lips of the rough cowboys to curl with poorly concealed scorn. If he noticed this sentiment, his countenance gave A — of the fact as he coolly inspected his os One of these,the man who had held him under his revolver while the other two searched the timber island, seemed rather above his class. Standing full six feet, he seemed the very beau-ideal of a lainsman. Dark as an Indian, save where the road-brimmed felt hat shaded his high brow; jetty hair which curled gracefully at the ends as it rested upon his broad shoulders; with drooping mustaches and Vandyke pointed beard; with silk-embroidered flannel shirt, open at the throat; Indian tanned buckskin trowsers, neatly worked with silk and beads clear-cut and i on my ears is gone back onto me to-night!” The traveler laughed easily as he replied: ‘*T beg your pardon, I’m sure. I am so eager to reach my desthantion that I forgot to return the compliment.”’ **Nobody’s crowdin’ of ye, stranger,” was the short, rude reply. ‘* You ain’t the fust man in these parts as hes a reason fer hidin’ of their names.” A look of blank astonishment came into the bi blue eyes, pps then, asthough the point just pricked e said: “You do me too much honor, my dear sir. Iam neither a runaway convict, nor a prairie pirate, but sémpie Jack Robinson, bound for the lively little town of Rocky Bar, on a prospecting tour. expected to 6 dinner there, but somehow, with my usual blundering luck, lost my way and wan- dered aimlessly on, in hopes of turning up some- where, until I caught sight of the smoke of your camp-fire. You know the rest.” ile he was speaking Dick Wheeler looked him steadily in the face, as though trying to read below the surface **- You're right down sure?”’ he demanded. 7 a what?” quietly asked the stranger. ‘“‘ Pray e *eYou made one mistake in straying from the ry soy kocky Bar. Sure you ain’t off the trail ag’in? - Of 5 our meaning, most decidedly ! If not that, pray what trail are you alluding to?” * The trail o’ truth—’’ “Tn other words, you hint that I am lying?” and there fiashed a dangerous light into the blue eyes. ‘*T don’t hint. What I want to say I spit right out flat-footed. You give your name as Jack Robinson, I ain’t got nothin’ ag’inst the name, It’s as good as any other to travel under in these ons—”’ “Then why are you objecting to it?” sharply. ‘“°Tain’t often that I fergit a face when I once see it,” was the quiet response, ‘‘an’ I’ve seen yours ore when you sailed under another title—’’ ” ** Indeed i> sneered Robinson. ‘Since your mem- ory is so remarkable for its tenacity, oe ou kindly set me right. Tf I'm not myself, but some other fellow, surely I have a right to know it.” ** Jest one word'll settle,it. On your honor asa ee you the de ve they cali Nor’ West Cc ’ ‘Tf Tam I must have been changed in my cradle when I was sleeping,” laughed the traveler. “ My name is Jack Robinson. I’m trying to find my wa to Rocky Bar. If you can set me on the right track I'l! thank you heartily, or pay you in more substan- tia\ coin, if you prefer. * **We'’re bound fer that same burgh ourselves, an’ ef you like, you kin ride in good oe ny,” said Wheeler, a pleasant smile com into his face, as he held out his hand, “Shake, Jack! I thought I knowed ye, but whex a man tells me I’m on the pine ae iy I ain't bull-headed enough to stick it out.’ Their hands met in a warm pressure. ‘‘No harm done, I’ve heard of this Nor’ West Nick, as he is called, and since we must resemble each other closely, to deceive a clear-headed fellow like you, I’m anxious to meet him. Have you any reason to think he is in these parts?” | k, the Border Detective. | ' _ was touching the --—e some of the big stock-men, to hunt out these dirty imps which go rampagiu’ ’round the kentry onder the p’izen cuss as calls hisself Cao’n Slyboots. They tuck a lot o’ Mavericks from us, only week afore last, an’ I was in hopes you was the man. Ef you was, we’d enlist onder ye, for three years or the war—sure |” % Sorry to disappoint you,”’ said Robinson, laugh- ingly. “‘I’m on a more profitable, if not quite so romantic a mission. Looking for a good, payin mine, to invest some o— cash, and hearing that could be suited at Rocky Bar, Iam bound there.”’ “Look out fer wildcats, then,” laughingly. *““Heaps of ’em thar, an’ you'll git sucked in an’ come out scratched clean, ef you don’t keep your two eyes open.” za sag hove I’m not so green as I look,” quietly. “I’ve been there before, metaphorically speaking. Those who pull the wool over my eyes must get up before daylight.” ‘**Hope you'll make a ten-strike, sartin, but they don’t many of °em do it. More money 1n roundin’ up Mavericks, Beef is beef in these mining strikes, an’ in the hide of yander black bull, we’ve got a week’s wages EY up. Sold to a hash-house- keeper, over in Rocky Bar. That’s why we’re goin’ thar to-night. The others ‘ll stop here easy enough ontel they’ve picked the feed clean, whether they're watched or not. ** Get your hoss, an’ fetch him uphere. We won't be long in gittin’ ready fer a start. Cut out the black bull, boys.” Jack Robinson turned away from the fire and en- tered the shadows, soon returning with his horse, He found the three men PA ars: their mounts for the road, Long-legs and Rickety Joe mounting with their lassoes coiled ready for use. “Work it easy, boys!” cried Wheeler, taking the lasso from his saddle-bow and separating the coils with his fingers. ‘* He’s got the devil in him bigger’n a woodchuck, an’ ef he smokes what you’re up to, thar’ll be music in the air!” ““Ef he makes a break this way, take him, an’ we'll be on han’ in a hurry,” said Long-legs, as he trotted off. “Jest what I low to do. Stan’ out whar you kiv see the fun, stranger. Lord! wouldn’t I like to see that bullin the ring, down Mexico-way! Wouldn't he make the Greasers hump tharselves—that’s him —the black beauty!” Dexterously cut out from the small herd by the two cowboys, a magnificent black bull, trim-built and supple as a deer in every motion, trotted into the open, halting with a snort of angry suspicion. Too late to save itself. Out from the shadows shot two snake like coils. Settling fairly over the wide-spreading horns, the loops tightened from op- posite sides, and with a wild bellow the angry crea- ture beg .n to plunge and leap, striving in vain to shake off |i«° choking fetters. * Good wor. ”? cried Robinson, his blue eyes glow- ing. But this 15 Srtic:.'” grated the voice of Dick Wheeler, as his lasso ciosed around the body of the astonished man, pinning his arms to hic sides snd then overthrowing him ere he could fairly realize his peril. “‘Can‘t nobody pull the wool over your eyes, ye cussed thief, can’t they? Oh, no!” Wheeler grated out these words as he leaped upon the prostrate form, tearing the weapons from his belt and casting them aside, then grasping him by the throat with deadly force. Whatever he might have done with an equal chance, the traveler was helpless now against the Maverick-hunter, and choked to insensibility he re- vived only to find himself tied hand and foot. ‘*What do you mean by this outrage—” Wheeler cut him short with a heavy slap on the Pr phe less chin you give, the healthier it'll be fer you, durn ye! Tried to pull the wool over my eyes, didn’t ye? Butit wouldn’t work! You lied, clean up to the han’le, but what I said, that I'll live up to! You wanted to go to Rocky Bar—”’ ‘* And you promised to guide me there—”’ “Which I’m goin’ to do, an’ take you thar in style, too!” laughed the cowboy—a laugh full of malignant glee. ‘‘You see that bull Maverick? Waal, you're goin’ to enter Rocky Bar riding that identical critter—tail-on-eend, too, bet ye!” Despite his nerve, the prisoner trembled, as well he might. CHAPTER Il, FRIGHTFUL HUMOR OF THE DESERT. Bor only for an instant. Then the iron nerve of a man in whose veins flowed not one drop of cowardly blood reasserted itself, and his blue eyes met the malignant gaze of the Maverick-hunter unflinch- at do youmean? Speak plainer.” Dick Wheeler laughed—a laugh with a devilish sneer in its notes for a sting—before replying: PS Reckon it must ’a’ shook the wits clean out 0’ ye, my takin’ ye so onexpectedly by supprise, or you wouldn't need to ax any sech question, But it don’t matter. I'd jest as soon sling a little chin-music at e as not, afore the circus opens in good airnest, y, while I lend e a boost—so,” and as he spoke, the cowboy raised the ‘pon: and prope: his back nst the chunk of dead wood which not long ce served him as a seat. “Take a look at the boys, an’ see what pains they’re takin’ to break in the critter you’re goin’ to ride to Rocky Bar. Mebbe it’ll p’int the tale an’ adorn the moral o’ what I’ve got to tell ye,” chuck- led Wheeler, drawing back a few feet and squatting on his heels, Long-legs and Rickety Joe were still busied with the Maverick, that animal making a desperate fight for freedom, rearing and plunging, making short rushes here and there, only to be checked by the taut lariats as the well-trained horses exerted their strength in opposite directions. Slowly but surel the tortured creature was being subdued, Its breat could only come in short, gurgling gasps. A few moments more and it would suffocate, The trained eye of Dick Wheeler saw this, and a short cry broke from his lips. It was a signal well understood by his mates, and promptly acted upon. At a moment when the nose of the choking crea ound, the two cowboys swun swiftiy around to the rear at the full length of their **No more than hearin’ that he was sent fer by lassoes, Long-legs lying low in the saddle as they | Eomicboo ‘S ew | | a —“ ¢ ‘om ~ae a : * +. ~~ ‘SS Low